Parashas Bo - Strengthening My Beliefs

I've always been intrigued by psychology and human behavior. Why do people do the things they do or say the things they say? What micro expressions do they display when hearing certain statements or comments? Why are some people more sensitive than others? Why do some people have a higher self-esteem than others? In order to understand more about the above questions, I started reading psychology books.

[Fun Fact: Everyone is born with healthy self-esteem. Somewhere throughout their lives, it has either been lowered or lost. For example: A young child doesn't mind asking for things they want (even from total strangers) nor do they care to (pardon my French) pass gas in public. They're not worried about what others will think about them. “They're Kids” - healthy kids!]

There's a concept I read about in psychology where a person verbally affirms his or herself to help raise his/her self-esteem. It's called, “Self Affirmation.” Verbalizing statements has a special koach to help believe something [positive] about oneself.

We also see this technique while learning Mussar; to help build one's characteristics (middos.) Rabbanim would go out to the forest or a quiet room where they could chant and ponder on a specific posuk or divrei chazal to instill it in themselves.

Where did this concept of verbalizing statements to help build good middos come from? Why does it have an effect on a person? Who says it works?

To answer my questions, I ask another question - from this week's Parasha. It says in the first two pesukim, “Hashem said to Moshe: Go to Pharoh, for I have hardened his heart and also the hearts of his servants - so that I can perform these signs [miracles] in their midst. And so that you may relate it in the ears of your son and grandson how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and the miraculous signs I performed among them; you will then know that I am Hashem.”

Why did the posuk say the word 'ears'? Why was it significant to add that word? And why is it that once we relate it, we will then know He is Hashem? What's the connection between verbalizing and believing?

I believe the reason why it mentioned “ears” is because it's the one part of the body where one can hear sound. Verbalizing is the best form of getting a message across; communication. In telling over a story or praise (verbally - so that the ears can hear,) says the Torah, it can also strengthen one's belief. So if communication via speaking to someone else can have an effect on one's own beliefs; then communication via speaking to oneself can also have similar affects.

Have a wonderful Shabbos,

Nisso